3-sided fingerbrush for cleansing multiple teeth surfaces

ABSTRACT

A fingerbrush for cleaning multiple surfaces of a child&#39;s teeth and/or gum line including a body member having a front side, a rear side and a cavity extending therewithin. The front side of the body member includes a brush head having a pair of spaced side panels and a plurality of bristle members positioned and located on and between the side panels. The rear side of the body member includes vertical ribbing positioned and located between the top and base portions thereof and may further include a plurality of projections. The brush head is used to clean multiple teeth and/or gum line surfaces of a child, while the vertical ribbing and projections, used either independently or together, help to protect a user&#39;s finger from being bitten during the cleaning process and also aid in massaging a child&#39;s gums during teething.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a type of toothbrush appliance and, more particularly, to a fingerbrush for use with infants, toddlers and children for simultaneously cleaning and/or burnishing multiple teeth and/or gum line surfaces.

Personal oral hygiene has been a challenge throughout the ages and may present even greater challenges to infants, toddlers and children who have not learned how to use a regular toothbrush. Various toothbrush structures and devices have been suggested for simplifying tooth and/or gum brushing procedures for these children. The aforementioned toothbrushes are sometimes designed to simultaneously clean multiple teeth and/or gum line surfaces. Typical examples are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,390, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 605,406, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 595,508, and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 617,563. The prior art toothbrushes provide multiple cleansing surfaces for simultaneous contacts with the labial, lingual, and occlusal tooth surfaces. As a result, the brushing procedures are greatly simplified and only require longitudinal reciprocal motion to cleanse the multiple tooth surfaces. As such, the example brushes are particularly well-suited for use by toddlers and children who have not yet mastered the use of the toothbrush.

The aforementioned toothbrushes and fingerbrushes do however have some important limitations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,390 includes a handle. It can be difficult for children or adults brushing children's teeth and/or gums to properly use a handle when cleaning a child's teeth. Children may lack the motor skills to operate a toothbrush, and adults may not be able to use a handled toothbrush with the precision required to clean thoroughly. The other example brushes lack any type of means for massaging the gum line and/or protecting the finger of an adult user against biting while the brush is inserted into the oral cavity of a child to clean a child's teeth and/or gums. New teeth break through the gums frequently throughout infancy. As a result of the teething process, gums often become sore and should be massaged to soothe any pain. Also, when new teeth are forming, infants, toddlers and children may have a propensity for biting down to ease the pain, and thus it is important that the fingerbrush protect a wearer's finger from injury during biting.

Thus, there is a need, especially in connection with promoting oral hygiene in young children, to provide a fingerbrush able to simultaneously clean and burnish multiple teeth and/or gum line surfaces while, at the same time, also providing comfort to a teething child or infant and to provide protection against biting during teething to the person using the fingerbrush.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a toothbrush type appliance and, more particularly, to a fingerbrush for cleaning and/or burnishing multiple teeth and/or gum line surfaces of an infant or child. The fingerbrush may be made of a pliable plastic such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Other materials may be used for the fingerbrush so long as the fingerbrush is flexible enough to fit over a finger and also durable enough to withstand normal wear and tear including biting by an infant or child. The present fingerbrush may be fabricated in an injection molding process as understood in the art.

The present fingerbrush generally includes a sleeve type body member having front side, a rear side and a cavity for receiving a person's finger. A brush head is positioned and located on the front side of the body member. The brush head includes two side panels that are substantially parallel to one another and are approximately the same size and shape. A plurality of bristle members are positioned and located on and between the side panels. A plurality of vertically extending ribs are positioned and located on the rear side of the body member along with a plurality of raised projections. Both the ribs and projections can take on a wide variety of different shapes and sizes and can be used to massage the gums of an infant or child.

Once a user has placed his/her forefinger into the cavity of the fingerbrush, a user should make sure that the back portion of the finger is generally aligned with the bristle members positioned and located on the front side of the fingerbrush. The user may then place his or her finger that includes the fingerbrush into the oral cavity of the infant to begin cleaning. The brush head should be placed over the teeth and/or gum line such that one side panel engages a lingual tooth surface, one side panel engages a labial tooth surface, and the plurality of bristle members between the side panels engage an occlusal tooth surface. The brush head is then moved in a reciprocal motion such that the side panels and bristle members engage the various teeth and/or gum line surfaces in rubbing contact in order to clean and burnish the various teeth and/or gum line surfaces within the oral cavity. The user can also use the plurality of projections to massage the gum line of the infant or child.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a 3-sided fingerbrush for cleaning three sides of an infant or child's teeth constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the 3-sided fingerbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the 3-sided fingerbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the 3-sided fingerbrush of FIG. 1, the right side elevational view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the 3-sided fingerbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the 3-sided fingerbrush of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a 3-sided fingerbrush 1 constructed according to the teachings of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of fingerbrush 1; FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevational view thereof; and FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevational view. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of fingerbrush 1 includes a generally sleeve type body member 2 having a front side portion 5, a rear side portion 10, and a cavity 35 extending sufficiently therethrough for receiving the finger of a person using fingerbrush 1.

Body member 2 includes an annular base ring or flange 15 which circumscribes the base portion of fingerbrush 1 and thus provides additional support to fingerbrush 1 such that it stays on a user's finger when in use. The front side portion 5 of fingerbrush 1 includes a brush head 20. Brush head 20 includes a variety of components that may help a user in the cleaning and/or burnishing process, namely, components that allow the labial, occlusal, and lingual teeth and/or gum line surfaces to be cleaned simultaneously. More specifically, brush head 20 includes a pair of side panels 25 which are positioned and located substantially parallel to one another in spaced apart relationship and are approximately the same size and shape as illustrated in FIG. 1. Side panels 25 are further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4-6 and are preferably formed integral with body member 2. Side panels 25 may be gradually sloped as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the gradual sloping further facilitating the brush head 20 to receive teeth to be cleaned. It is also recognized and anticipated that the side panels 25 may take on a wide variety of different sizes and shapes and that a wide .variety of these different alternative embodiments of side panels 25 will likewise achieve the stated purpose so long as the side panels 25 are each positioned and located respectively on one side of a plurality of bristle members 30 as explained below and so long as each side panel 25 likewise includes some plurality of bristle members.

A plurality of bristle members 30 are positioned on and between side panels 25 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Bristle members 30 may also be formed integral with body member 2 and may extend outwardly from their respective surfaces as illustrated in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, each bristle member 30 being illustrated as a small tubular member. In alternative embodiments, bristle members 30 may be sized and/or shaped differently than as presently illustrated without impacting the scope of the present invention. In this regard, the bristle members 30 could be square, rectangular, hexagonal, triangular, pointed in shape, or they could take on the wide variety of different shapes and lengths associated with the bristles of a regular toothbrush, to name a few alternative shapes which would still achieve the stated purpose.

The rear side portion 10 of body member 2 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 may likewise include a plurality of upward extending vertical ribs 45 that extend from the top portion 40 of body member 2 to the annular base ring 15. In addition to vertical ribbing 45, the rear side portion 10 may further include a plurality, of raised projections 50 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Both the vertical ribs 45 and the plurality of raised projections 50 may be used together in one embodiment, or separately in two separate embodiments, and both may be formed integral with body member 2. The vertical ribs 45 and the plurality of raised projections 50 may likewise take on different shapes and sized as explained above with respect to the side panels 25 and the bristles 30. For example, projections 50 can likewise be square, rectangular, hexagonal, triangular or pointed in shape to name a few alternative embodiments, and the vertical ribs 45 can likewise take on a variety of different shapes and lengths such as, for example, an undulating, sinusoidal or wavy pattern, a thicker or thinner width pattern, or a cascading pattern to name a few. A limitless number of alternatively sized and shaped projections 50 and ribs 45 may be used to add strength to the overall fingerbrush, to protect against biting, and to massage the gums of an infant or child. Still further, the specific arrangement and/or array of projections 50 and ribs 45 can likewise be varied. Both the vertical ribbing 45 and/or the raised projections 50 may provide protection to a user's finger against biting when fingerbrush 1 is inserted into the oral cavity of an infant or child.

The cavity 35, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, extends within the body member 2 and is sized and shaped to receive a finger of the user, preferably the forefinger. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the top portion 40 of body member 2 is enclosed thereby preventing a user's finger from slipping within fingerbrush 1 during the reciprocal cleaning motion described below, as well as prevent a user's finger from transmitting or receiving germs from an infant's oral cavity.

To use fingerbrush 1, a user simply places his or her finger into cavity 35 and aligns the fingerbrush with bristle members 30 positioned on the back side of the finger and the ribs 45 and/or projections 50 positioned on the front side of the finger. The fingerbrush 1 may, now be inserted into the oral cavity of a child to begin cleaning. When using the present fingerbrush 1, brush head 20 should be placed over the teeth and/or gum line such that one side panel 25 engages at least one labial tooth surface, the other side panel 25 engages at least one lingual tooth surface, and the plurality of bristle members 30 therebetween engage at least one occlusal tooth surface. The brush head 20 is then moved in a reciprocal motion back and forth with side panels 25 and bristle members 30 engaging the teeth and/or gum line surfaces in rubbing contact in order to clean and burnish the various teeth and/or gum line surfaces.

If a user is going to use the vertical ribbing 45 and/or raised projections 50 to massage a child's gums, the user may realign his or her finger in cavity 35 such that the front side portion of the finger is substantially aligned with rear side portion 10 of the fingerbrush 1 which includes the vertical ribbing 45 and raised projections 50. Alternatively, a user may simply use the back side of his or her finger to massage a child's gums thereby obviating the need to realign the fingerbrush 1.

Fingerbrush 1 may be made of a material that is formed during an injection molding process. In one preferred embodiment, the material may be a monoprene thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. A wide variety of other materials may also be used so long as fingerbrush 1 is sufficiently flexible to fit over a finger yet also sufficiently durable to withstand wear and tear such as biting by an infant.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel fingerbrush. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fingerbrush for the cleansing of multiple surfaces of teeth, comprising: a body member having a front side portion, a rear side portions, a top portion, a base portion and a cavity for receiving a user's finger; the front side portion of said body member including a brush head having two spaced side panels extending therefrom, and a plurality of bristle members positioned and located on and between said two side panels; and the rear side portion of said body member including a plurality of raised projections for facilitating the massaging of a gum line; wherein when said brush head is engaged with the multiple surfaces of teeth and/or a gum line, one of said side panels engages a labial tooth surface, one of said side panels engages a lingual tooth surface, and the remaining bristle members engage an occlusal tooth surface.
 2. The fingerbrush of claim 1 wherein said body member includes an annular ring positioned and located adjacent the base portion of said body member.
 3. The fingerbrush of claim 2 wherein the rear side portion of said body member further includes vertical ribbing extending between said annular ring and the top portion of said body member.
 4. The fingerbrush of claim 1 wherein said plurality of projections are formed integral with said body member.
 5. The fingerbrush of claim 3 wherein said vertical ribbing is formed integral with said body member.
 6. The fingerbrush of claim 1 wherein said brush head if formed integral with said body member.
 7. A fingerbrush for the cleansing of multiple surfaces of teeth and/or gums comprising: a body member having a front side portion, a rear side portion, a top portion, a base portion, and a cavity for receiving a user's finger; a plurality of bristle members positioned and located on the front side portion of said body member; a side panel positioned and located on one side of said plurality of bristle members and a side panel positioned and located on the other side of said bristle members, each side panel further including a plurality of bristle members; and a plurality of vertical ribs positioned and located on the rear side portion of said body member; wherein when said side panels and said bristle members are engaged with the multiple surfaces of teeth and/or a gum line, one of the side panels engages a labial tooth surface, one of said side panels engages a lingual tooth surface, and the remaining bristle members engage an occlusal tooth surface.
 8. The fingerbrush of claim 7 wherein said body member includes an annular flange positioned and located adjacent the base portion of said body member.
 9. The fingerbrush of claim 8 wherein said plurality of vertical ribs extend between said annular flange and the top portion of said body member.
 10. The fingerbrush of claim 7 wherein the rear side portion of said body member further includes a plurality of raised projections.
 11. A fingerbrush for simultaneous cleansing of multiple surfaces of teeth and/or a gum line comprising: a sleeve type body member having a front side portion, a rear side portion, a top portion, a base portion, and a cavity for receiving a user's finger; the front side portion of said body member including a brush head, said brush head including a pair of spaced side panels extending outwardly from said front side portion, said side panels being positioned and located substantially parallel to one another; said front side portion of said body member further including a plurality of bristle members positioned and located on and between said pair of side panels; the rear side portion of said body member including a plurality of raised projections; and the rear side portion of said body member further including a plurality of vertical ribs positioned and located between the base portion and top portion of said body member; wherein when said brush head is engaged with the multiple surfaces of the teeth and/or a gum line, one of said side panels engages a labial tooth surface, one of said side panels engages a lingual tooth surface, and the remaining plurality of bristle members engage an occlusal tooth surface.
 12. The fingerbrush of claim 11 wherein said body member includes an annular flange positioned adjacent the base portion of said body member.
 13. The fingerbrush of claim 12 wherein said plurality of vertical ribs extend between the top portion of said body member and said annular flange.
 14. The fingerbrush of claim 11 wherein said plurality of projections are interspersed between said plurality of vertical ribs. 